Dear Friends in Christ at Holy Spirit and St. Helen’s,

Who among us wouldn’t relish a voice of a loved one speaking about us with words similar to the Father speaking on behalf of his Son? “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” We would gush with excitement that someone spoke so highly of us. Depending on our temperament we would either inwardly smile or be as giddy a young child. Either way, we would be immensely happy to have such an expression of love.

Today’s gospel story presents that very scenario at the baptism of Jesus. It is an expression of profound love. The beginning of Jesus’ mission, doing the work of His Father, is colored with the brilliance of love and deep affection. The Father is pleased. Contrast that feeling with his experience of Adam and Eve after their disobedience and subsequent fall from paradise. Jesus is willingly obedient and has come to earth to teach us about the love of his Father.

Sadly, there are many people in our world today who are unsure if they are loved or even can ever experience love. Some may be close to home, in our neighborhoods, our schools even potentially our families. How sad this is especially knowing by faith that we are always loved by our heavenly Father. The voice speaking above Jesus as he stands in the Jordan river is the same voice that wishes to speak to our hearts. It is a pronouncement of God’s desire to love us, his creation.

Let us today relish in the truth that our Heavenly Father indeed loves us. His commitment to loving us is made manifest by his Son who came to dwell in our world. Jesus still is coming into our world each day. We are all beloved of God. In truth, God holds us in esteem and desires to lavish that love upon us. He really asks only one thing of us in return, that we share that love with those we encounter in this wonderful creation He has given to us. At the very end of his mission Jesus reminds his disciples and us of this simple truth about the Father’s love for us when he says, “I give you a new commandment, love another as I have loved you.” (Jn. 13:34-35)

Fr. Tom